The question of the day is YEA or NAY. Will the Security Council remove Iraq from Chapter VII? Right now the only scheduled meeting regarding Iraq on the UN Security Council agenda is June 18th. It is listed as a public debate on UNAMI (United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq). There have been a couple of articles that have referenced two meetings. The second meeting, which may exist, is not currently on the official agenda.
I found an old article (Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, November 27, 2007) that I thought had merit regarding the potential outcome of this meeting. In 2007 a pact between the U.S. and Iraq was signed stating that the current U.N. mandate would be extended by one year to the end of 2008. At that time Chapter VII would be totally eliminated and bi-lateral agreements would be put in place for any outstanding issues. A quote from the article indicates the feelings of Iraq at that time “Many Iraqi leaders still bristle that they fall under what is known as a Chapter 7 designation as a threat to international peace and security. Yesterday's statement said that emerging from under the U.N. mandate would enhance "the full sovereignty of Iraq" and "its control over its forces and the administration of its affairs." What actually transpired was that only half of this pact was upheld. The control over Iraq’s forces was ended in 2008 but the administration of Iraq’s affairs is still in effect.
The ending of Chapter VII was once again stipulated in the Sofa/SFA agreement that was signed in December, 2008. To quote “ The U.S. ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill said last week that "the consequences of Iraq out of Chapter VII is an objective shared by the United States with Iraq," adding "in fact, the security agreement requires us to help Iraq in process.” Twice Iraq and the US have reached an agreement to end Chapter VII.
Turkey is now in a position to assist Iraq. The Turkey representative is the current President of the Security Council. Each month the Presidency rotates. If Turkey is going to be in a position to help Iraq it must be done in June.
“Iraq eyes Turkey help over Chapter VII
Sat, 23 May 2009
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=95687§ionid=351020201
The Iraqi FM has called on his Turkish counterpart to remove Iraq from Chapter VII of the UN charter when Turkey assumes the presidency of the UNSC.
Iraq has been aggressively pursuing contacts with all the voting representatives to request removal of Chapter VII and has been pushing for the bilateral agreement issue. Most if not all of the voting countries have pending contracts with Iraq. (maybe a little of you scratch my back and I will scratch yours in return going on behind the scenes).
Kuwait may have over exaggerated their claims on what is still owed to them. Kuwait is claiming 25.5 billion to Kuwait and 16 billion to the Kuwait emirate. The United Nations Compensation Fund was set up to oversee the claims and subsequent payments. At this time, their publications only show 33+ billion still owed and that is to more entities than just Kuwait.
Twice the UN has lowered the percent that Iraq had to pay to the compensation fund. Kuwait had no voice or control over the reduction. It was first reduced from 30% to 25% and then to 5%.
Kuwait has been very vocal over keeping Iraq under Chapter VII until all the compensation and other issues affecting Kuwait have been resolved. Iraq retaliated by threatening to require trillions of dollars in damage from Kuwait for allowing coalition forces to use their country.
Based on all the articles and research the UN is moving to eliminate Chapter VII. All of the existing restrictions, committees and programs are due to expire this year. Iraq has done everything that the UN has asked. It may not have been as fast or as accurate as required, but Iraq has progressed in making improvements. I would also think that Kuwait has not helped their position in spite of all the trips to meet with the representatives of the voting countries in order to pitch their side of the issue. At some point in time, someone has to say, enough is enough. This has been going on for almost 20 years and it is time to bring it to an end. The UN also has other critical issues on their plate right now that are definitely more important.
Stay tuned for next segment of “AS IRAQ TURNS” the continuing saga of when will the RV arrive!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found an old article (Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, November 27, 2007) that I thought had merit regarding the potential outcome of this meeting. In 2007 a pact between the U.S. and Iraq was signed stating that the current U.N. mandate would be extended by one year to the end of 2008. At that time Chapter VII would be totally eliminated and bi-lateral agreements would be put in place for any outstanding issues. A quote from the article indicates the feelings of Iraq at that time “Many Iraqi leaders still bristle that they fall under what is known as a Chapter 7 designation as a threat to international peace and security. Yesterday's statement said that emerging from under the U.N. mandate would enhance "the full sovereignty of Iraq" and "its control over its forces and the administration of its affairs." What actually transpired was that only half of this pact was upheld. The control over Iraq’s forces was ended in 2008 but the administration of Iraq’s affairs is still in effect.
The ending of Chapter VII was once again stipulated in the Sofa/SFA agreement that was signed in December, 2008. To quote “ The U.S. ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill said last week that "the consequences of Iraq out of Chapter VII is an objective shared by the United States with Iraq," adding "in fact, the security agreement requires us to help Iraq in process.” Twice Iraq and the US have reached an agreement to end Chapter VII.
Turkey is now in a position to assist Iraq. The Turkey representative is the current President of the Security Council. Each month the Presidency rotates. If Turkey is going to be in a position to help Iraq it must be done in June.
“Iraq eyes Turkey help over Chapter VII
Sat, 23 May 2009
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=95687§ionid=351020201
The Iraqi FM has called on his Turkish counterpart to remove Iraq from Chapter VII of the UN charter when Turkey assumes the presidency of the UNSC.
Iraq has been aggressively pursuing contacts with all the voting representatives to request removal of Chapter VII and has been pushing for the bilateral agreement issue. Most if not all of the voting countries have pending contracts with Iraq. (maybe a little of you scratch my back and I will scratch yours in return going on behind the scenes).
Kuwait may have over exaggerated their claims on what is still owed to them. Kuwait is claiming 25.5 billion to Kuwait and 16 billion to the Kuwait emirate. The United Nations Compensation Fund was set up to oversee the claims and subsequent payments. At this time, their publications only show 33+ billion still owed and that is to more entities than just Kuwait.
Twice the UN has lowered the percent that Iraq had to pay to the compensation fund. Kuwait had no voice or control over the reduction. It was first reduced from 30% to 25% and then to 5%.
Kuwait has been very vocal over keeping Iraq under Chapter VII until all the compensation and other issues affecting Kuwait have been resolved. Iraq retaliated by threatening to require trillions of dollars in damage from Kuwait for allowing coalition forces to use their country.
Based on all the articles and research the UN is moving to eliminate Chapter VII. All of the existing restrictions, committees and programs are due to expire this year. Iraq has done everything that the UN has asked. It may not have been as fast or as accurate as required, but Iraq has progressed in making improvements. I would also think that Kuwait has not helped their position in spite of all the trips to meet with the representatives of the voting countries in order to pitch their side of the issue. At some point in time, someone has to say, enough is enough. This has been going on for almost 20 years and it is time to bring it to an end. The UN also has other critical issues on their plate right now that are definitely more important.
Stay tuned for next segment of “AS IRAQ TURNS” the continuing saga of when will the RV arrive!!!!!!!!!!!!
